Santa Fe, NM - The Senate Public Affairs Committee passed "Stevie's Law," bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry and Democrat Rep. Carl Trujillo to allow local governments to impose curfews on minors under the age of 16 from midnight to 5 a.m. The committee passed the bill on a 5 to 4 vote.

"Allowing kids under the age of 16 to roam around unsupervised after midnight is a recipe for disaster," Gentry said. "Curfews can protect New Mexico residents and children from dangerous situations. It's not only important for community protection, but for child protection as well."

House Bill 29 is named "Stevie's Law" in memory of Steven Gerecke, an Albuquerque man who was shot and killed in his driveway last summer by six minors at 3 a.m. One month after that incident, a 14-year-old student, Isaiah Albright, was shot and killed around 2 a.m. at Pat Hurley Park on Albuquerque's Westside by another minor.

Currently, law enforcement has little authority to detain children who are out during school hours or at night without reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed. This bill would allow officers to detain minors, and it would provide guidelines on how law enforcement should handle children who are caught violating a curfew. The legislation would prohibit children from being placed in secure settings for violating a curfew.

The bill will also provide a variety of exemptions for children who have reason to be out during the regulated times, such as participating in a school function, attending an event with their parent or guardian, or attending a civic or religious function. This legislation excludes emancipated youth from its provisions.

The proposal is also supported by Albuquerque Westside City Councilor Ken Sanchez.